Court Documents: Man drove 95 mph before head-on crash near Warrensburg
WARRENSBURG, Mo. (KCTV) - Charges have been filed against a man accused of driving head-on into a pickup truck at 95 mph along a rural Missouri highway in April.
A probable cause statement filed by the Missouri State Highway Patrol indicates that just after 5:35 p.m. on April 19, emergency crews were called to the area of NW 400th Rd. and Business 13 Highway, north of Warrensburg, with reports of a 2-vehicle crash.
When first responders arrived, they said they found a 2021 Toyota Camry that had been thrown into a fence and a 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 with extensive damage. The driver of the pickup reported that she saw the Camry driving toward her in her lane, so she swerved to avoid it. However, the vehicles collided anyway.
Inside the Camry, law enforcement officials said they found Atkins, along with several half-empty bottles of alcohol and marijuana. When Troopers spoke with Atkins, he itted that he had been drinking. He ultimately requested to seek medical treatment and was taken into custody.
Several drivers and pedestrians who had been in the area said Atkins attempted to a vehicle “where he shouldn’t have.” Data from his car later revealed he had been traveling at 95 mph just before the crash.
Law enforcement officials indicated that an adult female enger in the pickup sustained life-threatening injuries, while the pickup’s driver sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries. Atkins had also been minorly injured as a result.
After speaking with victims at Western Missouri Medical Center, State Troopers said they learned that Atkins left the hospital through a side door without notifying staff. He was spotted nearby as he was arrested again.
Hospital staff noted that Atkins’ BAC had been found to be below the legal limit. As a result, he has been charged with assault in the second degree and operating a motor vehicle in a careless manner.
However, those charges were not filed until Monday. A warrant was issued for Atkins’ arrest on Tuesday and he was taken into custody on Wednesday. As of Friday evening, he remains behind bars on a $5,000 bond.
If convicted, Atkins could be sentenced to 8 years behind bars and be ordered to pay a fine of up to $12,000. A bond reduction hearing has been scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 18.
No further information has been released.
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